Iris You Were Here

Exhibitions:
* Our Favorite Artists Favorite Artists, Invitation Gallery Exhibition, Gallery at the Block, Manchester, NH
* Colours of Spring, Dharma Gallery, Amherst, NH 
* Selections 2024, The Library Arts Center, Newport, NH 
* Grand Opening, Salt & Sand Fine Art Gallery, Kennebunk, ME

I adore Christmas, though this year my holiday was a quiet one mostly spent at the easel. While I painted, I invited the ghosts of Christmas past to come sit a spell.

Christmases on Peterson farm started with the candlelight service at our church then home to open gifts! (Stockings and the "big" gift were saved for Christmas morning.) My favorite part came after the tearing of the wrapping paper had settled. My Dad, "Farmer Bob" would bring out his well-thumbed Bible, open it to Luke 2:1-19, and in his humble baritone, he'd read the story of the Nativity. I would snuggle down between Mom & Dad, stare at the blinking lights of our tree and ponder, like Mary did, the Miracle of the babe born in a manger.

Later in the day, Mom & I chatted on the phone (for 2 hours!) Yet, it's just not the same as sharing a holiday table, singing together in church, or waking up in my childhood room. By the end of our conversation my mom started to cry missing all of the family & friends they've lost through the years and was awash in melancholy longing for the "wonder" years when Doug & I were kids. After we hung up, I realized it's been 18 years since I've spent the actual holiday down on the farm. 🥴

My first 2024 New Year's resolution? Christmas 2024 will be spent with them... Walnut may not have the bright lights of the big city, but the love found there burns brighter than any colorful string of Christmas lights. #homefortheholidays